Automobile tail-lamp.



M. B. DANHEISER.

AUTOMOBILE TAIL LAMP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.3.1`9L4.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

L. Il

LLM/Lm aol sans anni@ MELVIN B. DANHEISER, 0F HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA.

AUtroMoBiLn TAIL-LAMP. l

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. M, Matti.

Application filed September 3, 1914. Serial No. 859,938.v

Atail-lamp having means for producing a colored light when the automobile is traveling forwardly and a white or bright light when the same is backing,

An important object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character, which are simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, convenient in use, and reliable in operation.

A further object of the invention is to pro* vide lmeans to auton'iatically cause the taillamp to produce a bright or white light, upon the gear shitting lever being moved to the reverse position.

A. further object Iof the invention is to provide electrically operated means to cause the tail-lamp to produce colored and white iglits.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of tlie following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspeciiication-and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure l is a central vertical longitudinal sectional. view through a tail-lamp embodying my invention, FigfQ is a transverse sectionalview taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 isa diagrammatic view of the taillamp and associated circuit or circuits.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred einbodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates the shell or casing of a tail-lamp for an automobile, ywhich is attached to the rear end of the automobile by means of a bracket 6 or the like. The inner surface of the shell 5 is highly polished for providing a reflector and the outer open end of the shell is covered by a lens 7, as shown. Arranged within the inner closed end of the shell 5 is a source of light 8, preferablyan electric bulb, althou h the invention'is not necesof which .the follow-v as upon turning around, or backing into agarage or the like.

'lens 7.

sarily restricted to this type of source of light. Arranged within the inner lportion of the, shell 5 in advance of the source of light 8 is a preferably vertically movable or reciprocatorf translucent colored plate 9, which may be red, green or the like. Connected with the upper end of the translucent colored plate 9 is a vertical rod l0, operating' through a guidesleeve ll, as shown. The

rod l0 yextends enteriorly of the shell 5 and has rigid connection with av preferably horizontally arranged armature l2, disposed below and4 in suitable proximity to an.

electro-magnet or electro-magnets 1.3. These electro-magnets are rigidly mounted within an upstanding vauxiliary casing 13, which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the shell 5, as shown.

When the translucent colored plate 9 is in in its normal lower position, the saine covers' ,the forward end of the source of light 8,

whereby the rays of lights radiating .from the same pass through the plate 9, andare accordingly colored. `When the electromagnet or electro 4magnets 13 are energized, the V'same draw the armature 12 upwardly, elevating the translucent colored plate 9, whereby the white or bright rays of light from the source oi light 8, pass therefrom unobstructed by the plate 9 through to the I'Vhile I have shown an electromagnet or electro-magnets for shiftingthe translucent colored plate, I wish it understoodthat the invention is inno sensercstrictcd to this specific type of electrically operated means for accomplishing this oli ject, as4 other forms of electrically operated means may be advantageously en'iploycd, such as solenoid 'or solenoids, or the like.

The electro-magnet or electro-magnets 13 are connected in series with a wire 15. connected vwith the positive pole of a source of current 16, as shown. The wire 15 is connected with a stationary contact 17, adapted to be engaged and disengaged by a movable contact 18, carried by and having electrical connection :with a gear shifting lever 19. IVhen the contacts I7 and 18 .are out of engagement, they have no electrical connecl tion. The gear shifting lever 19 is pivoted at 20, and has connection, preferably near its lower end, with a wire 2l, connectedv with the lopposite pole of the source of current 16, as shown. i

The operation oi the apparatus is as follows z- Vhen the automobile is standing 1Q is elevate( vfrom the positive pole ot the source ggg still or is traveling torwardly, the shitting lever 1f) assumes a` posit-ion or positions whereby contacts 17 and 1S disengage, and the electro-magnet or magnets 13 are deenergized, the translucent colored plate 9 assuming the lower normal position, in advance oi` and coveringv the forward end ot the source of ligi'l'it S. YTo back the automobile. the lever 19 is swung toward the coir tact 17 for throwing` the transmitting gearingiuto reverse. 17 and 18 engage for closing a circuit to energize the electro-magnet or electro-magnets 13. In this closed onciiit, current flows ot' current 16, through a portion oi? wire 15, electroaguets 13, a portion et wire 1:3, contact 17, ontact 18, lever 1S), and throi'igh wire 21 back to the opposite pole ot' the source of current. When the electro-magnet or electro-magnets 13 ai'e eiieifgiY-ed,'tlie armature l and the translucent colored plate elevated above the source of light fi, whereby the rays of light from the same pass unobstructed by this plate througrh the. leus 7. By this means, upon the automobile backing, a bright or white light is provided, whereby the driver may clearly sce behind the car, in the direction in 'which he is traveling.

lt is to be understood that the form oi" my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred eXai-iiple oi' the saine and that various cli-anges in the shape, size,

and arrangement ot' parts may be resorted to without departingl i'roin the spirit of my iiivention or the scope of. the' subjoiiied claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: p

1'. The con'ibinatioii with the tail lamp of an automobile embodying a source of light, oit' a ino 'able translucent colored plate normally disposed in advance of the source et' Copies of this `patent may be obtained for it the saine time contacts menace light, electrically operated means to movethe trai'isliicent colored plate from its non nial position in advance of the source ot light, a circuit connected with the electrically operated device, a gear slii'ltin'g` lever, and i'neiiiis to operate the circuit when the gear shitting; lever is moved to the vehicle reverse position.

The roiiibinatioii with the tail-lamp of an automobile en'ibodying a source of liglit, of a. reciprocatory translucent colored plate normally disposed in advance of and in the path of travel of the rays of light radiating 'from the saine, electrically operated means aiiaptcdwhen energized to shift the translucent colored plate out' of the path of travel of the rays oi' light a circuit connected with the electrically operated means, a lear shifting lever, and means to close the circuit for eiiergizingthe electrically operated device when the gear shitting lever vis moved to the reverse position.

3. In apparatus oi' the character described, the combination with the tail lamp of an automobile embodying a source oit ligl'it, of a vertically movable translucent colored 'i'ilate normally disposed in advance of the source oi light to color the light, an electrically operated device arranged above the movable plate and adapted to elevate it when energized whereby the lamp will glow brightly,

a circuit connected with the electrically operated device, a gear shiftingy lever, and means to close the circuit when the gear shitting lever is moved to the vehicle re verse position.

1n testimony whereotl 1 affix my signature in presence ot' two witnesses.

MELYIN B. DANHESER.

lllitiiesses .Iilnxiiicrra R; SCiiIrFMAN, Liao P. Coiimv.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

